We thank President Tinubu for granting Minister of Interior, Dr. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo the free hand to radicalise, innovate and deliver on his mandate – OSOPADEC Chairman, Prince Poroye
Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is uncommon blessing to Ondo State, Nigeria – Prince Biyi Poroye
*AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PRINCE POROYE BIYI, OSOPADEC CHAIRMAN AT THE CELEBRATION OF 2ND YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DR. BUNMI TUNJI-OJO (BTO), INTERIOR MINISTER & SUPPORT DECLARATION FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION BY BTO RELIABLE GROUP*
Protocol.
We gather today here in Okeagbe not just to mark a milestone, but to chart a course towards 2027. Two years ago, on August 21st, 2023, a man of immense capacity was entrusted with one of the toughest jobs in the nation: the security and internal affairs of Africa’s most populous nation. Today, we celebrate the second anniversary in office of the man you all know as BTO, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
When President Tinubu stood on the podium to take the oath of office, he inherited a nation facing profound challenges. He looked at the landscape and saw not problems, but puzzles waiting to be solved. And to solve the complex puzzle of our interior ministry, he needed not just a politician, but a visionary; not just a talker, but a doer. He needed a master craftsman. He found that craftsman in our own BTO. And we must acknowledge the wisdom and vision of Mr. President for appointing him and other performing ministers, and for granting them the free hand to innovate and deliver on their mandates.
The President, with his characteristic wit, often says, “You don’t need a carpenter to fix a leaking roof, but you sure need a plumber who knows his pipes from his pipe dreams.” In appointing BTO, he didn’t just get a plumber; he got a whole engineering team in one man.
Let’s talk about the pipes that were leaking. Remember the infamous passport backlog? Over 200,000 of our citizens, at home and abroad, were trapped in a maze of delays and frustration. It was a symbol of a government that had forgotten how to serve its people. Within weeks, BTO didn’t just clear the backlog; he bulldozed the entire maze and built a digital highway in its place. The contactless renewal system is more than an app; it is a message to the world that Nigeria is open for business and respects the dignity of its people. This, directly, delivered on the President’s promise of a streamlined, efficient civil service.
His transformative touch extended to the very identity of our nation. He revolutionized the National Identity Number (NIN) process, breaking down the bureaucratic barriers that once made it a nightmare for our people. By integrating digital technology, he has made it easier for millions to claim their unique identity, a critical step for inclusion and development.
But a house is not a home without security. Our borders were like baskets, and our correctional facilities were overcrowded warehouses of despair. BTO applied a dual strategy of cutting-edge technology and profound humanity.
He built a digital wall, a state-of-the-art command center and e-border system that has made illegal crossings a harder gamble. He looked at our correctional services and saw not just inmates, but potential. His rehabilitation initiatives and the historic private-sector partnership that freed 4,000 inmates didn’t just decongest prisons; they planted seeds of hope and second chances in what was once fallow ground.
And recognizing that safety is a cornerstone of security, he has embarked on a complete overhaul of our Federal Fire Service. From the procurement of state-of-the-art firefighting equipment to the training of personnel, he is building a modern fire and rescue service capable of protecting our lives and property. His forward-thinking vision is also embodied in the proposed Paramilitary Academy, an institution designed to standardize training and produce a new generation of world-class security and safety personnel.
These are not just ministerial achievements; they are the very pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Security. Economic prosperity. Rule of law. When BTO automated business permits and grew the ministry’s revenue by 50%, he wasn’t just balancing books; he was building the economic infrastructure for the President’s ambitious one-trillion-dollar economy. He was sending a signal to the world that Nigeria is ready for serious investment.
The President once joked at a rally, “They say I am the City Boy from Bourdillon. Yes. And I am looking for other competent city boys and girls to help me build a better city for everyone” In BTO, he found a “City Boy” from Okeagbe Akoko who has brought competence and innovation to Nigeria. But beyond the boardrooms and digital systems, he has also shown a profound generosity towards humanity. His compassion, representing the very best of our spirit, has touched lives directly, reminding us that at the heart of all policy must be the welfare and dignity of the people.
The metaphor for this administration is not a slow-moving train, but a bullet train being assembled at high speed while already moving down the tracks. It requires precision, courage, and an unwavering focus on the destination. BTO has been one of the chief engineers in that engine room, ensuring the ride is secure, efficient, and headed towards prosperity.
So, as we look towards 2027, we are not asking for a mandate based on promises. We are asking for a renewal based on visible, tangible, and transformative performance. The success of appointees like BTO is the success of President Tinubu’s judgment, his leadership, and his vision.
The foundation for the next four years has been laid with the sweat of competence and the cement of achievement. The journey to 2027 begins today. Let us walk it together, confident in the knowledge that with the General Tinubu at the helm and soldiers like BTO in the field, the destination of a truly great Nigeria is not a hope, but an inevitability.
Thank you. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
